West Coast have one of the most lethal small forward contingents in the game - and it could get even more deadly at this year’s trade table.
The Eagles have reportedly made an early play for Richmond small forward Shai Bolton, the second-round pick who has blossomed in his third season in the AFL.
Bolton is out of contract at the end of the season, after agreeing to a new one-year deal last October.
The 20-year-old, whose father Darren Bolton played two games for Fremantle and had a long WAFL career with Peel, has played 16 games for the Tigers this season, including a 29-disposal, one-goal effort against the Giants in round 17.
7NEWS are reporting the Eagles have a deal all but on the table for Bolton, who could be tempted to return to his home state.
At the time he signed his previous deal, Bolton’s manager Ralph Carr - who also handles Tigers superstar Dustin Martin - said the young forward was never in danger of leaving the club.
“We’re excited to re-sign, Shai was always going to because he loves the club,” he said.
“He loves the club, loves the facilities – Richmond has the best indigenous facilities in the AFL – and he can’t wait to return.”
Richmond’s ability to retain their fringe talent was hampered by their recruitment of former Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch.
Lynch joined the Tigers as a free agent at the end of last year, a move which saw the club unable to retain a number of reliable depth players the likes of Reece Conca and Sam Lloyd.